Massive tornado slams Mississippi, tossing big rigs in its path
Good morning! As businesses continue to navigate through a rapidly changing landscape, the importance of efficient and effective supply chain management has never been greater. We aim to keep you up-to-date with the latest trends, best practices, and news affecting the supply chain industry. So grab your coffee, settle in, and let's get started! ☕️
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Sunday, March 26, a deadly tornado tore through the state of Mississippi for over an hour. Over 25 people were killed in the rampage and dozens more were injured. The wind was so strong that mobile homes were flipped on their roofs, taking the lives of those inside. Notably, a semi-truck was picked up by the forceful gust and was launched onto someone’s house, killing those inside. Witnesses of the incident said that 18-wheelers were being tossed by the 200mph winds as if they were as light as a feather. Tigers that escaped from the local zoo in the carnage were found and tranquilized so they could quickly be transported to a safe location. It was estimated the twister was about ¾ of a mile wide at some points.
Check out the featured article from The Trucker and read about President Joe Biden's response to the deadly Mississippi tornado and how you can help those who were living in the tornado zone. How long will it take for Mississippi to recover from this devastation?
Featured Article:
Monster Mississippi tornado kills dozens, tosses big rigs like toys across city | The Trucker
“Help began pouring into one of the poorest regions of the U.S. after a deadly tornado tore a path of destruction for more than an hour across a long swath of Mississippi, even as furious new storms Sunday, March 26, struck across the Deep South.”
Regulations & Unions 🚂
Union Pacific railroad pulls back its campaign 1-person train crew
Union Pacific is now the 2nd major U.S. freight railroad to back off from industry pushes to allow 1-person crews. This pull-back from the UP is occurring simultaneously as lawmakers begin to address rail safety following the train derailment in Ohio. Many US railroads push for one-person crews as a way to cut costs and increase efficiency. By eliminating the need for a second crew member, railroads can reduce labor costs and increase productivity.
Advocates of one person crews argue that advancements in technology, such as automation systems and remote monitoring, have made it possible for a single operator to perform the duties previously carried out by a two-person crew. They also contend that one person crews can operate trains more efficiently, with less downtime and fewer delays.However, opponents of one person crews, including labor unions and safety advocates, argue that having only one crew member on board increases the risk of accidents and incidents, as there is no backup or second set of eyes to monitor the train and respond to emergencies. They also argue that reducing crew sizes puts the safety of railroad workers and the public at risk.
The Union Pacific railroad is a transportation company that operates one of the largest railroads in the United States. The company was founded in 1862 as part of the Pacific Railroad Act, which authorized the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Union Pacific's tracks span over 23 states in the western two-thirds of the United States and connect with other railroads to reach the rest of the country. In addition to its core railroad business, Union Pacific also provides logistics and supply chain solutions through its subsidiaries.
Fuel Tech & Regulations ♻️
Are dolphin and whale deaths on the shores of New Jersey due to wind turbines?
Dolphins and whales have been turning up dead on the shores, and the number is growing rapidly. This shocking scare has led Republican lawmakers to advise New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to cease his offshore wind project immediately. Some Republicans believe that the cause of death for these ocean mammals may be the disruption on the sea floor. Though the wind farms laid out in the project don’t exist yet, critics claim that the preparation work underwater may be messing with the dolphin and whale's sonar, confusing them. These critics have voiced that the right thing to do is to pause all work on the offshore project until they can find out more as to why there have been so many deaths in the local sea life.
As of last Wednesday, 8 dolphins were taken in for post-mortem exams. Since December 1st, nearly ten dead whales and 23 dead dolphins have been discovered on the shores of New Jersey. Last week there was a hearing for a proposal for a third wind farm offshore, which would help create approximately 11,000 megawatts by 2040. The Department of Environmental Protection has released a statement denying that there is any correlation between wind farms and deaths.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
🚙 What are the true beneficiaries of the 25-Year Import Rule? The Imported Vehicles Safety Compliance Act (or the 25-year import rule/exemption) is an act that bans Americans from importing foreign cars that aren’t over 25 years old. This rule is in place supposedly to keep American drivers safe - however, some disagree. Some critics argue that the 25-year import rule unfairly favors collectors and enthusiasts who want to import rare or exotic vehicles while creating a potential loophole for individuals looking to evade emissions or safety standards. Despite these concerns, supporters of the 25-year import rule argue that it provides a way for car enthusiasts and collectors to import vehicles that would otherwise be unavailable in the US. They also argue that the rule has led to the development of a thriving market for older and vintage vehicles, which has created jobs and boosted the economy.
🇩🇪 German air and rail travel halts amid labor strikes. Public transportation and planes seem to be frozen in time all over Germany after German labor unions called a massive strike over salary concerns. The unions organized a 24-hour walkout, staging one of the largest walkouts in history, and were joined by ship and rail workers. Labor unions in Germany are influential and well-organized, representing a significant portion of the workforce. The country has a long history of strong unionism, with many workers belonging to unions in various sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, education, and public services. Labor unions in Germany have traditionally played a significant role in shaping national policy, with union representatives sitting on government committees and engaging in collective bargaining with employers to negotiate wages, benefits, and working conditions.
🇸🇬 UPS urges Singapore to diversify its supply chain. UPS conducted a study regarding the country of Singapore, and has opened the conversation of diversifying its trade and supply chain. If it doesn't, UPS claims that the current system could cost Singapore up to $225 billion. UPS cited that Singapore’s trade partnership with China has the potential to grow by almost 50% over the following 7 years. Singapore has a strong trade partnership with China, which is one of its largest trading partners. In recent years, China has become an increasingly important market for Singapore, with bilateral trade growing significantly. The two countries have a free trade agreement (FTA) that came into effect in 2009, which has further strengthened trade ties. However, tensions have arisen over issues such as territorial disputes in the South China Sea and concerns about China's increasing influence in the region.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
⛽️ Louisville, Colorado to ban new fuel stations to combat climate change. A town in Colorado is under the microscope this week after the city council approved the banning of all new gas stations in town to reduce its carbon footprint. This act would permit the city of 21,000 people to move forward with six gas stations available. Bans on new gas stations can be difficult for small towns for several reasons. One major challenge is that small towns often have limited transportation options, which makes access to fuel a critical issue for residents and businesses. If a ban on new gas stations is put in place, it could result in a shortage of fuel, which could have a significant impact on the local economy and quality of life.
📥 Amazon revisits reducing grouped delivery problems. Amazon often fulfills “grouped” delivery to apartments in the same complex or the same neighborhood. While these deliveries are time-efficient, it’s not always successful delivery in terms of fulfilling specific customer requirements. When drivers complete these deliveries, oftentimes they overlook delivery notes which can create another issue for the Amazon customer. Amazon has developed a new program to help decrease these concerns called the “Risk Aware Delivery” program. By utilizing previous delivery data at the location the package is being delivered, the Amazon driver will be able to adjust and avoid repeating a mistake cited by the customer. This program will be launched for use by the drivers in April.
👟 Foot Locker looks to become more tech-savvy. The footwear giant has announced plans to invest in an “inventory visibility system” with means to track the shoe's digital footprint. Foot Locker has states that it expects to have all their systems linked by 2024 and intends to increase capital spending by 50% in the next 4 years. Foot Locker, like many other retailers, is concerned with supply chain visibility because it plays a crucial role in ensuring the availability of products to customers, maintaining efficient operations, and managing costs. Supply chain visibility refers to the ability to track products and components as they move through the supply chain, from raw materials to finished products, and to have real-time information on inventory levels, shipping schedules, and other key data points.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🚗 UAW picks a new president. Shawn Fain will be the new overseer of union contracts and deals with automakers in The United Auto Workers. Fain was backed by a reform group within the auto union, highlighting a large divide between the nation’s largest union at 1 million active and retired members.
🚚 Yellow Corp. to close 2 facilities in Ohio. The US-based company has announced that it will close two terminals in Akron and West Chester, Ohio. This will affect 257 workers in all and the reason for this closure is that the company is seeking a “network overhaul”. The plan is to transfer these workers to other facilities or they will otherwise be laid off.
👱♀️ More women drivers join the industry to overcome the trucking shortage. In the last year, women have become more predominant in the trucking industry than ever before. In 2022, women made up 14% of the workforce, and just a couple of years earlier it was less than 8%.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 28, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.